Massaging device



Oct. 19, 1937. s. J. BEss MASSAGING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l Stanleq d. Bess WZ/M Oct. 19, 1937.

s. J. Bass l 2,095,956

MASSAGING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6o 56 58 17 25 Fic. 4 59 11 15 59 i/ ze 155// 114 1?/ 54 lr L41 4647\ 7*@ r 31 i Y-/ 42 71 55 N v :i /fo 50 55 K A uf/f l?, 1 wu :27 7 Stanleg d B955 a 62 97-5MKM My# Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE MASSAGING DEVICE Stanley J. Bess, Minneapolis, Minn. Application July 19, 1933, Serial No. 681,100

12 Claims.

)angles to the plane and path of its circuitous mo- Another object of the invention resides in providing an arm carrying the massaging member at one end thereof and in providing guide means for the arm intermediate its ends and means for procuring movement of said arm at its other end.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a cylindrical case having a motor therein and in disposing said arm along said motor.

Another object of the invention resides in arranging the guide means at one end of said motor and driving means for operating the arm at the other end of said motor, said driving means being actuated by said motor.

An object of the invention resides in utilizing a crank or eccentric for operating said arm.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the arm and case with juxtaposed parts and in providing one of said parts with a slot and the other with a pin extending into said slot for guiding said arm for reciprocating and swinging movement.

An object of the invention resides in constructing said arm with a hinge and in further constructing said arm with a cam adapted to engage a member on the support by means of which said arm is vibrated in a direction at right angles to the path ofthe circuitous movement of said arm when -the arm is reciprocated.

Anotherobject of the invention resides in providing a throw-out device for rendering the vibrating mechanism of the invention inoperative at will.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a holder by means of which 4an ordinary tooth brush may be secured to the arm of the invention.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterv illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a massaging device illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 isv an inverted plan'view of a part of the parts will now be described in detail.

laminations.

structure shown in Fig'. 1 with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is aninverted elevational sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3. 5

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a 10 portion of the brush holder.

My invention proper comprises a case I0 which yhas mounted in it a. motor II. Motor II drives av suitable transmission I-2 by means of which rotary motion from the motor is converted into 15 a combined rotary and reciprocating movement. An arm I3 to which the massaging device proper is attached is operated2 by the transmission I2 and functions in a manner to give the massaging device the desired movement. These various 420 The case II is preferably constructed of bakelite or some other similar phenol formaldehyde product and consists of two parts I4 and I5. These parts are semi-cylindrical in form, being 25 adapted to be secured together to form a. cylindrical structure through suitable screws IB which `pass through the part I4 and are threaded into the part l5. `l'I'he part I4 is constructed with al semi-cylindrical wall I1 and end Walls I8 and I9. 30 The part I 5 is similarly constructed with a semicylindrical wall 2U and end walls 2| and 22.

-Across the cylindrical wall 20 is provided a. partition. 23 which vtogether with the other walls of the two parts of the case,y forms a chamber 24 35.

within the case in which the motor II is disposed. The various elements of the invention are held in position within the case I0r through suitable bosses and supports which will be described in detail in conjunctionwith the descrip- 40 tion of said elements.

The construction of the motor II is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. This motor consists of a field core 25 constructed of laminations and held together through four longitudinally extend- 45 ing rods 26 which may be riveted overvthe end The field core' 25 is constructed to provide two pole pieces 21 and 28 and is bored as -indicated at 29 to receive the armature 30 which is disposed between the two pole pieces 21 and 28. 50 Field coils 3| extend about the pole pieces 21 and provide suitable flux for procuring rotation of suitable windings 34 may be placed. These windings are connected to a commutator 35. Fig. 3, which is mounted upon the shaft 32.

The field core 25 is supported between the two parts I4 and I5 of case I0, as best shown in Fig. 5. .For this purpose, grooves 36 and 3l are formed in the walls I'i and 23 respectively of the two parts It and I5. These grooves serve to hold the said eld coil in place. In addition, lugs 38 onv the wall I 'I in proximity to the diametrical edge thereof further engage the eld core 25 and assist in centering and supporting the same. Field core 25 is held from endwise movement through beads 39 which are formed on the inner surfaces of the walls I 'i and 23 of the case in proximity to the grooves 36 and 31'.

The shaft 32 is journaled at one end in a bearing 60 which consists of a block of metal screwed to a bridge` portion 8i formed on the wall I'i of part It of the case I8. For this purpose two screws i2 are employed which extend through the jbearing and are tapped into the bridge 4I or into suitable inserts secured thereto, but not illustrated. Shaft 32 is journaled at its other end in a bearing t3 which is clamped in position in a socket it formed in a member 49 formed on wall Il of part I 4 of case I0. For this purpose a cap d5 is employed.' Caplt5 is constructed with ears 86 which extend outwardly. therefrom and through which screws di may pass', which screws are threaded into inserts 68 setinto the'member (i9 in which the socket 48 is constructed. By means of this construction, the bearing 4&3 is firmly held in position.

To prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft 32, two ball bearings 56 and 5i are employed which are seated in sockets formed in the ends of the said shaft. The ball bearing 50 is seated against an end thrust bearing 52 set into the wall I9 of parjt I6 of case Iiiwhile lthe ball bearing v5I against a finger 53 formed on the cap .1s seated t5., This ngerand cap are preferably constructed of resilient mathrial so that the finger 53'urges the ball against the end of the shaft 32,

and prevents longitudinal movement thereof,

For the purpose of energizing the motor, two brushes 54 and 55 are employed which are mounted in brush holders 56 attached to member 39l of the case I 8 through screws .57. 'Ihese brushes are yieldingly held in contact with the commutator 35 through leaf springs 58 which are secured' to bushings 59 set into the wall i'i and attached to said bushings through screws 60. A suitable cable or twin electrical conductor 6I is employed which passes through an opening 62 in the rear wall I9 of the case and which extends through the bridge 4I- and follows along a space 63 formed between the eld core 25 and said wall Il. The branches of the conductor 6 I are connected to the brushes 54 and 55 and to the field coils 3i and are also connected' to a suitable switch 66 by means of which the motor may bev turned off or on.

The switch 66 comprises a Afinger piece 65 disposed upon the exterior of the case and lis coni structed with a lug 66 extending into theinterior ofthe case through a slot '6l' along which the said lug is movable. `Lug 66 carries a spring connector 'bar I6'i whichis adapted to contact with two .l zythe case. `The bar I 6l is secured tothe lug 66 through a. screw r'IIL When the finger piece 65 is contacts 68 and 69 'secured to themember 49 of v`in tiifpcsition shown'm Fig. 3, the circuit through ,thetwo kcontacts 68-69, is completed -land the motor is energized. When the finger piece 65 is aoaaes `rI'he armature 38 is provided with slots 33 in which in the end wall I'I of the said part of the case. The air in this manner flows through the held and g l armature of the motor and over the commutator thereof and is discharged at the forward end of the case.

The transmission mechanism l2 by means of which the brushes on the massaging device of the invention are manipulated is best shown in Figs. 2, 3'and 4. Upon the end of the shaft 32 adjacent bearing t6 and between said bearing and the end wall ,I9 of the case is provided afworm 1i.

'Ihis worm is attached to the end of the shaft 32 in any suitable manner as by a pin 72. Worm 'il meshes with a worm gear 'i3 which is provided with a centrally disposed bore 16. The worm gear i3 is journaled on a stub shaft 75 which ts within the bore lli and which is imbedded at one A end as indicated at 16 in Fig. 3 in a block 'i7 cast integral with the part I 8 of case I8. The worm gear T3 has formed integral with it an eccentric 'I8 which projects .outwardly therefro as best shown in Fig. 3. A washer 'i9 overlies t e end of the stub shaft 'i5 and is attached to said shaft through a machine screw 86. This washer and screw hold the eccentric and gear in proper position on the stub shaft so'that the worm 7i prop-1' erly meshes with the worm gear 13 and drives said eccentric. I

.The part I5 of case I6 having the partition 23 is covered through a cover plate 8l which is attached to the wall 20 of the ca se through screws 82 threaded into` inserts 83 set in the walls of the case. This cover forms in conjunction with the partition 23 a compartment 88 within-the case disposed on the opposite side of the partition 23 from the compartment 23 in which the motor II is disposed. The arm I3 carrying the massaging element of the invention is disposed within the compartment 88 and extends outwardlythrough a slot 85 formed in the end wall ,2i of the part I5 of case I8, The arm I3 is tween the jleaves 8?. A 'pin 89 passes jointly The member 8l is n constructed with s hinge 1eaf sa whichnts be- '55..

through all of said y'leaves and hingedly connects the arm I3 tothe member 87. Member 8l Ahas formed on it an eccentric strap 96 which fits over the eccentric 18. The washer 18 and screw 80 serve to holdjthe eccentric ,strap in position upon the eccentric as best shown in Fig. 3. By means of'v this construction the member 8l is 'given a reciprocating and rotary movement as the worm gear li3 turns.

In the use of the invention, it Jfrequently o c- Ycurs that water or other preparation used on the brush of the massaging ldevice follows along thebrush and drains into the compartment 86 of the case I8. For this -purpose the partition 23 is employed which forms the separate lcompartment 86 and in which the brush holder and arm are disposed.l .This compartment is readily -accessible by removaldf the ,cover 8i so that the entire brushA holder and arm may be cleaned whenever necessary. This cover is constructed with openings II8 through which liquids entering this compartment may drain out of the device.

For the purpose of guiding the arm I3 for movement, the same is constructed near lits outer end with a longitudinally extending slot 9|. A pin 92 set into the partition 23 is received within the slot 9|. As the eccentric 18 rotates arm I3 :ls given a reciprocating and oscillatory movement through the action of the pin 92 and slot 9| which movement is utilized to impart a similar 'motion to the massaging member carried by the arm.

In order to illustrate the method of attaching the massaging member to the arm I3, an=or dinary tooth brush 93 has been shown as applied to the same. This tooth brush comprises a handle 94 having bristles 95 at the outer end thereof. For securing the tooth brush in place, a socketed member 96 is employed which is attached to the arm I3 intermediate the ends thereof and disposed Within the compartment 84. This socketed member has two converging Walls 91 and 98 which in addition to converging, also incline with respect to one another. When the end 99 of the tooth brush is inserted into this socketed member the said member serves to center the tooth brush with respect to the arm I3 and to draw the same securely against the back of the arm as shown in Fig. 3.

In addition to the socketed member -96 for holding the tooth brush in place a clamp |00 is employed. This clamp ts about the end of the arm I3 holding the tooth brush and is provided with a set screw IOI which ts against the said arm and serves to draw the clamp against the tooth brush and to hold the brush firmly attached to the arm. f

In the operation of the device, the eccentric 18 gives the member 81 a circuitous movement and at the same time reciprocates the same, causing the arm I3 to simultaneously reciprocate and oscillate. The bristles 95 atl the end of the brush 93 are hence caused to take the same path of movement as the said member 81. This causes the bristles to travel in a circuitous path, the radius of which can be controlled through the selection of an eccentric having proper eccentricity and the disposition of the pin 92 with respect to the brush and the eccentric.

In addition to imparting to the massaging device movement in a circuitous path, it is also desirable to give it a vibratory movement in a direction at right angles to the plane of the said path. This is accomplished through the action f,

of a cam |02 formed on the arm I3 near the end thereof. For this purpose the said arm is thickened at the locality in which the slot 9| is disposed and subsequently reduced in thickness as illustrated. Cooperating with the cam |02 is a crank |03 which is formed with two bearings |04 and |05 journaled in suitable sockets |06 and |01 formed in parts of the partition 23. The bearing |04 is constructed with a groove |08. A pin |09 is seated in this groove and is attached to the partition 23 and serves to hold the said crank in position. A knurled head I|0 on the end of the crank |03 permits of rotating said crank from its position in Fig. 3 to a position in which the said crank is disposed 180 degrees from said position. A leaf spring I|| is attached to the arm I3 through rivets II2 and is adapted to engage the crank I 03 on the side thereof opposite the cam |02. This spring serves to hold the said crank in engagement with cam |02. When the parts are disposed as shown in Fig. 3, movement of the arm I3 toward the right through the action of the eccentric 18 causes the cam |02 to ride along crank |03 and to move I the said arm about the hinge I I3 outwardly from the partition 23. Movement of arm I3 in the opposite direction brings about movement of said arm back toward partition 23 through the action of spring III. In this manner the arm I3 is vibrated in the direction of the length of the'bristles 95 and at the same time the bristles caused to travel in a circuitous path. When the brush 93 is dipped in a suitable dental preparation and applied to the mouth and particularly to the teeth, the bristles 95 travel in a circuitous path and engage the gums at the locality thereof adjoining the teeth. This causes massaging of the gums and the stimulation of the ow of blood therein which is highly effective in curing pyorrhea and other gum diseases.

When the crank |03 is turned toa. position exactly 180 degrees from that shown in Fig. 3,' the said crank is held free from the cam |02. Movement of the arm I3 through the eccentric 18 is in such case purely confined to a single plane. By adjusting the crank |03 through the knob II 0 any.' degree of vibration can be procured. i

Although I have referred to my invention as useful for the purpose of massaging the giuns and cleaning teeth, the same can be used for massaging muscles or for any other similar purpose. Other massaging elements may be used instead of the conventional tooth brush, such as a friction pad or a rubber toothed head.

In manipulating my improved massaging device and particularly when used for massaging the gums, the same is grasped through the case |0 which serves as a handle. When so disposed, the foreiinger is in close proximity to the switch 64 by means of which said switch may be manipulated to operate the device. The brush 93 is covered with paste or some other dental preparation and placed in the mouth and uponthe teeth. The current is then turned on through the switch 64 which procures a circuitous movement of the brush. As the brush is so driven, cleansing of the teeth and massaging of the gums is procured. If desired the brush may be directly applied to the gums or to any other parts .of the body to whichthe desired massaging effect is to be given. When combined rotary and vibratory movement is utilized more vigorous action is produced.

My invention is highly advantageous in that an extremely simple and convenient device is provided whereby massaging of the gums or other parts of the body may be eiectively procured. Through the action of the rotary movement of the massaging element, results are procured yand particularly in conjunction with the gums which could not be procured with merely rectilinear reciprocatory movement. By means of the gearing employed, a high speed motor may be utilized and the massaging device still caused to travel at the desired speed. Due to the particular construction of the case utilizing the partition, any water or foreign matter following along the brush may be discharged from the case without entering the transmission mechanism thereof. With my invention any type of massaging device can be utilized and an ordinary tooth brush quickly and securely attached to the movable member.

By means of the vibratory meve ment the massaging. device 'is caused to more effectively massage the surface on which it is applied and a greater stimulating effect is procured than would be possible werethis feature omitted.

Changes in the specic form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having ydescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Ina massaging device, a support, an arm, a massaging member carried by said arm, guide means carried by the support and engaging said arm, means carried by the support for moving the arm, said last named means cooperating with said guide means vto procure movement of said massaging member in a planecircuitous path, and other guide means cooperating4 with said last named means to procure movement of said massaging member in a direction transverse to the plane of said path thereby giving said massaging member movement in three dimensions.

2. In/combination, a cylindrical case, an electric motor carried in said case, said motor having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom at one end, an arm substantially coextensive with said motor and confinedv Within said case, means for guiding said arm for reciprocating vand swinging movement, a crank disposed within said case, transmission mechanism connected to said crank andmotor shaft for operating said crank, said crank being pivoted to said arm and functioning to swing and reciprocate said arm.

3. In a massaging device, a support, an arm carried by said support, a massaging member carried by said arm, said support and arm having juxtaposed parts, one of saidparts being provided with a groove and the other with a pin extending into said groove, said pin and groove serving to guide said arm for swinging and reciprocating movement, means for swinging and reciprocating said arm, and means for urging movement of said arm in the direction of extent of said pin.

4. In a massaging device, a support, an arm, a massaging member carried by said arm, guide means carried by the support and engaging said arm, means carried by the support for moving the arm in one direction, a cam on said arm having a surface angularly disposed with'respect to the direction of movement of said arm, and means on said support for engagement with said cam to move said arm in another direction.

5. In a massaging device, a support, an arm, a massaging member carried by said arm, guide means carried by the support and engaging said arm, means carried by the support for moving the arm in one direction, a cam on said arm having a surface angularly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of said arm, a crank having a part engaging said cam, said crank being revoluble to throw said part out of the path of movement of said cam to cause the arm to travel-freely or to bring said part into engagement with said cam to cause the same to move in a direction away from said support.

6. In a massaging device, an elongated case, an arm extending longitudinally of the case-within the same and projecting from one end thereof,

means carried by said case for engagement with the arm intermediate the ends thereof, saidmeans guiding the arm for lateral .swinging movement and for reciprocating movement in the direction of the length of the case, said reciprocating and swinging movement being confined to a plane, means for causing the f`ee end of the arm to move in a direction at an angle with respect to said plane, means for holding a massaging device attached to the free end of said arm and driving means connected to the inner end of the arm.

7. In a massaging device, an elongated case, an arm extending longitudinally of the case within the same and projecting from one end thereof, said arm and case having juxtaposed parts,

one of said parts having a longitudinally extending groove and the other having a trunnion proj ecting therefrom and disposed within said groove whereby said arm may have swinging and reciprocating movement, driving means carried by lsaid case and connected with the inner end of vsaid arm for reciprocating and swinging said arm,

means for guiding said arm for movement about 'another axis, the axes of said hinge means being at right angles to one another and means yfor reciprocating said arm.

10. In combination, a cylindrical case, an electric4 motor carried in said case, said motor having a shaft extending outwardly therefrom at one end, an arm extending along said motor and confined within said case, a crank disposed within said case at the shaft end of the motor, means for operating the crank from the projecting portion of themotor shaft, a guide within said case, said guide being disposed at the other end of the motor and engagingsaid arm, said arm extending outwardly lfrom the case at the end thereof having the guide and a massaging device at the free end of the arm.

il. In a massaging device, a support, an elongated arm, guide means acting between said support and arm for guiding said arm for longitudinal and swinging-movement, means engaging said guide means at a locality spaced from said arm and imparting lto said arm at such locality a complete circular motion confined to a plane containing said arm, and a massaging device carried by the arm and traveling over the entire extent of a complete circuitous course.

i2. In a massaging device, a support, an elongated arm, guide means acting between said support and arm for guiding said arm for longitudinal and swinging movement, a shaft having its axis disposed transversely of said arm, a circular bearing in said arm, a crank rotated by said shaft and directly journalled in said bearing and imparting a complete rotary movement to the portion of the arm having said bearing, and a massaging device carried by said arm and traveling over the entire extent of a complete circuitous course.

STANLEY J. BESS.

CERTIFICATE oF JCORRECTION. Patent No. 2,095,956. October 19, 1957.

STANIEY J'. BESS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page L| second column, line 51;., claim ll, for the words "guide means",y read arm; and line 55, same claim, for "arm" first occurrence, read `guide means; and that the said lLetters Patent should be readwith these corrections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 151:11 day of naz-ch, A. D. 1938.

Henry Van Arsdale, v (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE oF JCORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,095,956. October 19, 1957.

STANLEY J. BESS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page LL, second column, line 5h., claim ll, for the words "guide means", read arm; and line 55, same claim, for "arm" first occurrence, read Aguide means; and that the said vLettera?, Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same mayr conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.,

signed and lsealed this 15th day of March, A., D., 1958 Henr;r Van Arsdale, l (Seal) -Acting Commissioner of Patents., 

